Bellingham School District warns parents about possible child abductor

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BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Bellingham School District is warning parents about a stranger who allegedly approached and attempted to lure two children into a van, the Bellingham School District said.

Two separate students were approached by a stranger Tuesday. One student was contacted by a stranger in a black van near Parkview Elementary School, and the other was approached near Whatcom Middle School on the way home from school. In both cases, the children ran from the man and told an adult.

The suspect is described by one student a Hispanic male in his 20s with short dark hair. He was last seen wearing a beanie, a gray T-shirt, gray shoes and tan shorts. He was driving a black van with tinted windows.

It is unknown if the cases are related.

Bellingham School District released this statement:

A Message from Superintendent Greg Baker

Dear Families,

I want to take this opportunity to remind our families about some safety precautions.

As you may be hearing about in the news, a child was approached yesterday on the way home from Parkview Elementary School by a stranger in a black van near the 700 block of West Indiana Street. Late this afternoon, we received a different report that a stranger in a vehicle near Carrington and Barkley Boulevard approached a Whatcom Middle School student yesterday on the way home from school.

In both cases, the children did the right thing by telling someone and parents reported the incidents to police. As of this time, no one has been arrested, but police are investigating. It is unknown if these two incidents are connected in any way. If you have any information that will help police in their investigation, please call 911.

Please review some general safety reminders with your children:

• Tell an adult immediately if they see someone or something that makes them worry or feel uncomfortable.

• Stay with friends. Don’t travel alone.

• Always stay in well-lit, well-supervised areas.

We have shared this information with our staff. Please know that we take the safety of our children very seriously and appreciate your support.